Largest Swan Migration Site in Kanto: 23+2 Swan Watching Spots in Ibaraki Prefecture

• Migratory swans: Whooper Swan, Tundra Swan
• Number of swans: 100-150
• Parking: Approx. 10 cars
• Restrooms: Available

Ichinoseki Pond, located in Ichinoseki Tameike Shinsui Park in Naka City, is famous as a migration site for Whooper Swans and Tundra Swans. In 2000, a record high of 166 birds was confirmed, but in recent years, 50 to 80 swans can be seen. There are two decks on the east and west sides, and you can freely feed them with bread or millet brought from home.

Location〒311-0105 4520-1 Sugaya, Naka City, Ibaraki Prefecture

ContactNaka City Tourism Association・Phone: 029-298-1111

ReferenceNaka City Tourism Association Ichinoseki Tameike Shinsui Park Swan Introduction Page

For nearby recommended sightseeing spots, please see Naka City VR Tour.

• Migratory swans: Whooper Swan
• Number of swans: 30-70
• Parking: Approx. 8 cars
• Restrooms: Available

Oshima Park is a park located in the residential area of Nishi-Oshima, Hitachinaka City, and is famous as a swan migration site. Every year, from November to March, dozens of Whooper Swans migrate to the pond in the park. Kokaido Hitachi Seaside Park is a nearby tourist attraction.

Location〒312-0041 Nishi-Oshima, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture

For nearby recommended sightseeing spots, please see Hitachinaka City VR Tour.

• Migrating Swans: Whooper Swans・Tundra Swans　-
• Number of Migrating Swans: Approximately 50
• Water Surface Elevation: 9m
• Parking: Many paid parking lots
• Restrooms: Available

Senba Lake in Mito City is a gourd-shaped lake, about 3 km in circumference, located next to Kairakuen, one of Japan's three great gardens. Mute swans and black swans reside in Senba Lake year-round. The mute swans were originally donated by Hikone City and Ube City, and the black swans were donated by Ube City.

Location〒310-0851 3080 Senbacho, Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture

Phone：029-232-9214

For recommended nearby tourist attractions, please see Mito City VR Tour.

• Migrating Swans: Whooper Swans
• Number of Migrating Swans: 5 to 20
• Parking: Not maintained・Approx. 5 cars
• Restrooms: None

Joshoji Pond is an agricultural reservoir located next to Joshoji Temple, an ancient Rinzai sect temple in Sakadokadocho, Mito City. It is also known as Fuji Pond. In addition to swans migrating to Joshoji Pond, Genji fireflies and Heike fireflies also inhabit it, and it has been designated as one of the "100 Hometown Living Creatures Villages" by the Ministry of the Environment. The swans are Whooper Swans, with approximately 5 to 20 individuals migrating depending on the year. It is likely that they migrate from Otsuka Pond.

Location2098-1 Fujiike, Sakadokadocho, Mito City

Inquiries：Mito City Parks Association・Phone：029-244-2888

For recommended nearby tourist attractions, please see Mito City VR Tour.

• Migratory swans: Whooper Swan
• Number of arrivals: 100+ birds
• Parking: Approx. 25 spaces
• Restrooms: Available

Otsukaike Pond is a scenic spot selected as one of the 100 Best Scenic Views of Ibaraki, located in Otsuka-cho, about 5 minutes from the Mito Interchange, in the western part of Mito City. Every year, numerous Whooper Swans migrate here from mid-October to late March. Also, a few Black Swans are present year-round.
It is ideal for walking and strolling, with a long path. There is also a playground area, making it a recommended tourist spot for families.

Location〒311-4143 1832 Otsuka-cho, Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture

For recommended nearby tourist spots, please see the Mito City VR Tour.

• Migratory swans: Whooper Swan
• Number of arrivals: Approx. 150 birds → Approx. 20 birds in 2023
• Parking: Approx. 10 spaces on north side, approx. 30 spaces on south side
• Restrooms: Available

Bentenike Park is a park in Kawada-cho, Mito City, with Bentenike Pond within its grounds. It is about a 5-minute drive from the Mito Interchange and Otsuka Park, where swans migrate. Whooper Swans migrate to Bentenike Pond from November to March. Feeding is also possible.

Location〒311-4153 4469 Kawada-cho, Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture

For recommended nearby tourist spots, please see the Mito City VR Tour.

• Migratory Swans: Whooper Swans
• Number of Birds: 10-20
• Parking: Approx. 20 cars: South side of the pond
• Restrooms: None

Kobuki Suigen Pond is a swan migration site, located within Kobuki Suigen Pond Park in Kobuki, Mito City. K's Denki Stadium Mito is located next to it on the south side. It is about 9 km from the Mito Interchange, taking about 10 minutes by car. Approximately 10 to 20 Whooper Swans migrate here. Kobuki Suigen Pond Park is a well-maintained urban park rich in nature, where you can stroll around. Additionally, there is a small island near the center of the north side, which can be crossed by a wooden bridge, allowing visitors to enjoy the surrounding scenery. The south side of the pond has many water lilies, and the north side has reeds, which seem to be conditions for swan migration.

Location〒310-0914 2059 Kobukicho, Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture

• Migratory Swans: Whooper Swans
• Number of Birds: Approx. 30-50 (150-200 in 2023)
• Parking: Approx. 25 cars
• Restrooms: Available

Shimizu-numa Pond is located in Koibuchi-cho, southern Mito City, about 10 minutes from Tomobe Interchange for those coming from Tokyo. Approximately 150-200 Whooper Swans and Tundra Swans migrate to Shimizu-numa Pond from November to late March. The pond's scenery is suitable for swan photography as no private houses are reflected. Cherry trees are planted around the pond, making it also recommended during the cherry blossom season.

Location〒319-0323 Koibuchi-cho, Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture

For recommended nearby tourist attractions, please seeMito City VR Tour.

The south bank of Shimizu-numa Pond can be reached by taking the road to Shimizu Shrine, but please note that there is no parking available.

【Shimizu-numa Pond Swan VR Tour】
The Shimizu-numa Pond swan VR scenes are composed of 5 scenes: 2 locations on the south side of the pond, 2 locations on the north side, and 1 aerial scene.

• Migratory Swans：Whooper Swans・Tundra Swans
• Number of Migrants：40-50 birds
• Parking：approx. 40 vehicles
• Restrooms：None

Ikebana Pond, located in Obusho, Minori district, Omitama City, sees 40-50 Whooper Swans and Tundra Swans migrate and overwinter there. As they travel back and forth with Enshu Pond, located about 1.8 km away, you can also witness them taking flight. You can see the swans up close from the pier, making it a recommended tourist spot.

Location〒319-0132 Obusho, Omitama City, Ibaraki Prefecture

Contact：Omitama City Commerce and Tourism Division・Phone：0299-48-1111

ReferenceOmitama City Tourism Association　Ikebana Pond Introduction Page

For recommended nearby tourist spots, please see the Omitama City VR Tour.

• Migratory Swans：Whooper Swans
• Number of Migrants：40-50 birds
• Parking：Space for about 3 vehicles on the north side
• Restrooms：None

Enshu Pond, located in Hagari, Minori district, Omitama City, is where you can see 40-50 Whooper Swans and Tundra Swans traveling back and forth with Ikebana Pond.

Location〒319-0121 Hagari, Omitama City, Ibaraki Prefecture

Contact：Omitama City Commerce and Tourism Division・Phone：0299-48-1111

ReferenceOmitama City Tourism Association　Enshu Pond Introduction Page

For recommended nearby tourist spots, please see the Omitama City VR Tour.

• Migratory Swans: Whooper Swan
• Number of Migratory Swans: Around 30-50
• Parking: Approx. 5 cars: North side of the pond
• Restrooms: None (Convenience store nearby)

Futatsu Pond, a swan sanctuary in Kasama City, is located in an urban area about 1.5 km from Tomobe Station on the JR Joban Line and Mito Line. It's about a 10-15 minute drive from the Joban Expressway's Tomobe Smart IC and the Kita-Kanto Expressway. The swans that migrate are Whooper Swans, with 30 to 50 birds arriving from November to March. The number of migratory birds varies by time, and it's possible they travel between nearby sanctuaries like Shimizu Pond in Mito City, in addition to securing food. Futatsu Pond originally consisted of two ponds; the other pond, which was on the opposite side of the road, was reclaimed and is now the schoolyard and parking lot of Tomobe Elementary School. Clicking the photo will show you the western VR tour scene. There is a parking lot on the north side of the pond, and swans can be observed from both the north and east sides.

Location Near Mihara 4-chome, Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture

For recommended nearby tourist spots, please see Kasama City VR Tour.

• Migratory Swans: Whooper Swan
• Number of Migratory Swans: Around 30-40
• Parking: None - space for a few cars along the pond's levee path
• Restrooms: None

Risuke Pond, a swan sanctuary, is an agricultural reservoir located in Sumiyoshi, Kasama City. It's about 3 km from the Tomobe SA Smart IC on the Joban Expressway and about 5 km from the Tomobe IC on the Kita-Kanto Expressway, approximately a 10-minute drive from either. The swans that migrate are Whooper Swans, with 30 to 40 birds arriving from November to March.
According to local residents, swans began migrating here annually around 2017. They may not be present in the evenings, possibly traveling between nearby swan sanctuaries like Futatsu Pond in Kasama City and Shimizu Pond in Mito City.
Clicking the photo will allow you to view 8 ground scenes and 2 aerial scenes from 40m and 148m above ground.

Location 1253 Sumiyoshi, Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture

For recommended nearby tourist spots, please see Kasama City VR Tour.

• Arriving Swans: Whooper Swan
• Number of Arrivals: 20-40 birds
• Parking: None: Pond perimeter path *Traffic warning
• Toilets: None

Oike Pond is an agricultural reservoir that quietly holds water, located along the railway tracks west of Yamato Station on the JR Mito Line, where many ducks and swans come to migrate. The swans are Whooper Swans, and it is said that 20 to 40 birds have been arriving for about 4 years now.
It is about 2.5km from JR Mito Line's Yamato Station, taking about 6 minutes by car, 13 minutes on foot or by bicycle.
From Kitakanto Expressway's Sakuragawa-Chikusei IC, it is about 5km, taking about 8 minutes by car.

Location〒309-1244 Takamori, Sakuragawa City, Ibaraki Prefecture